Evaluation of the Use of Tracheal Intubation Through a Laryngeal Tube to Intubate Anesthetized Patients

Failed intubation is currently one of the most important factors leading to morbidity and mortality in anesthesia. The development of supraglottic airway devices (SGDs), such as the intubating laryngeal tube, has revolutionized airway management, as these devices allow adequate ventilation and oxygenation in situations where ventilation and/or intubation via conventional means pose a challenge. Several publications describe the usefulness of such devices for salvaging ventilation in patients that cannot be intubated with direct laryngoscopy or who cannot be ventilated with a facemask. In these salvage situations, SGDs are highly effective in achieving adequate patient oxygenation. Achieving effective oxygenation with an SGD and completely isolating the airway by intubation at the same time. This is now possible thanks to the so called supraglottic intubation devices (SGIDs). For that reason, we believe it is necessary to conduct a study that allows evaluation of the performance of this device in the context of daily clinical practice. Its design characteristics, its capacity to be used in intubation applications, its soft and atraumatic materials as well as its disposability augur this product a significant expansion in the next few years. Nonetheless, no data are available on the success of intubation when the intubating laryngeal tube suction device (ILTSD) is used. The idea behind this study is to assess the possibilities to use the ITLSD device to intubate patients in regular anesthetic practice.